A miner was killed in Chibougamau and another injured when one of them lit a cigarette in a mine that contained methane gas.
Rene Gauthier, 46, died instantly in the explosion and Daniel Girard, 33, suffered a broken leg and bums to his body, said a report from Canadian Press. The force of the blast threw the two men 50 metres.
The explosion occurred at 9:30 a.m. on March 29 when the men stopped for a break inside the Copper Rand mine about 50 metres away from the opening. The mine is operated by MSV Resources. The same company is opening another mine northwest of Mistissini at the head of the Eastmain River.
MSV spokesman Claude Carrier said the company did not know methane, an odorless, highly flammable gas, was present in the mine. Carrier said there have been no similar accidents since his company started mining in the region two years ago.
The day of the blast an SQ spokesman said the police investigation was already closed and no charges will be laid.
